|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It won't be easy, you'll think it's strange When I try to explain how I feel, That I still need your love after all that I've done. You won't believe me. All you will see is a girl you once knew, Although she's dressed up to the nines At sixes and sevens with you. I had to let it happen; I had to change. Couldn't stay all my life down at heel Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun So I chose freedom. Running around trying everything new, But nothing impressed me at all. I never expected it to. Don't cry for me Argentina. The truth is I never left you All through my wild days, My mad existence, I kept my promise. Don't keep your distance. And as for fortune, and as for fame, I never invited them in Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired. They are illusions; They're not the solutions they promised to be. The answer is here all the time I love you and hope you love me. Have I said too much, there's nothing more I can think of to say to you. But all you have to do is look at me to know That every word is true.
For their second rock opera, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice - the creators of Jesus Christ Superstar - have chosen another story of a controversial historical figure whose popular appeal, dramatic flair, and social impact give an added dimension of emotional complexity to their music. Maria Eva Duarte Peron, the second wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron, was born in the small town of Los Toldos into a poor family. At the age of 16, she came to the capitol city of Buenos Aires and rapidly achieved stardom as a radio and motion picture personality. Her Cinderella story background and her personal charisma helped her establish an enormous popular following in Argentina. She used this popularity to help her husband be elected President of Argentina in 1946. The Maria Eva Duarte de Peron Welfare Foundation, which she founded in 1947, provided millions of dollars for poverty relief, in a fund-raising effort clouded by scandals. When she died of cancer in 1952 at the age of 33, she achieved national status of virtual sainthood.
The musical selection from Webber and Rice's opera which appears on Passage, On The Balcony Of The Casa Rosada / Don't Cry For Me Argentina, captures Juan and Evita Peron in their victory appearance at the Pink palace (Casa Rosada) after the 1946 Presidential Election. In Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Evita assures the crowd that she has not forgotten her lower class origins. She asks her beloved Descamisados (shirtless ones), as she referred to the poorest of the poor, to continue to love her: "Don't keep your distance." At the end of this emotional plea, she offers as proof of her sincerity the statement, "But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true." This line embodies the themes of Evita: the deceptiveness of political imagery, the persuasiveness of her personal warmth, and the irony of her life, which is inextricably intermingled with the history of Argentina.
- Digby Diehl
In the notes to the Carpenters: The Compact Disc Collection, Richard Carpenter wrote:
Our selection of songs for this project made Passage a bit of a departure from our previous recordings. I am still fond of every song on this album but would like to mention the history of two:
Don't Cry For Me Argentina - This song was submitted to us and I immediately felt it was perfect for Karen. We contacted England's late, great Peter Knight to orchestrate the song (and two others on Passage). Peter flew to L.A. to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the recording. (Due to a contractual agreement their name was not allowed on the credits, hence the appearance of the "Over-budget" Philharmonic). Between the 100 plus member "Phil" and the 50 voice Gregg Smith Singers the recording session had to take place on the A&M Sound Stage. It was an experience I'll never forget.
